CA2041479C - Apparatus for separating solids from well fluids - Google Patents

Apparatus for separating solids from well fluids

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Publication number
CA2041479C
CA2041479C CA 2041479 CA2041479A CA2041479C CA 2041479 C CA2041479 C CA 2041479C CA 2041479 CA2041479 CA 2041479 CA 2041479 A CA2041479 A CA 2041479A CA 2041479 C CA2041479 C CA 2041479C
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Prior art keywords
tank
solids
chamber
outlet
defining
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Expired - Lifetime
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CA 2041479
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French (fr)
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CA2041479A1 (en
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Robert Lynden Martin
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Priority to CA 2041479 priority Critical patent/CA2041479C/en
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Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Abstract

In general, presently existing separators for the effluents of gas and oil wells are large volume, low pressure devices, which usually rely on gravity for the separation of solids from produced well fluids. A simple separator for separating solids and liquids from oil or gas well effluents capable of operating at high pressures includes an elongated, horizontal tank with an inlet in one end thereof for receiving well effluent, level control ports in a side of the tank for maintaining liquid in the tank at a predetermined level below the longitudinal center of the tank, a slotted baffle extending downwardly from the top of the tank near the inlet end for defining an inlet chamber permitting rapid expansion of the effluent and promoting solids separation, the inlet chamber being followed by a gravity chamber facilitating gravity separation of solids, a plurality of perforated plates downstream of the baffle defining aggregate chambers containing particulate material for promoting additional solids separation and coalescence of hydrocarbon liquids and water in the liquid portion of the effluent, and an outlet chamber downstream of the aggregate chambers with a gas outlet in the top thereof for discharging gas from the tank, partitions defining a hydrocarbon discharge basin into which hydrocarbon liquids overflow for discharge from the tank, and a water outlet in the other end of the tank beneath the normal operating liquid level for discharging water from the tank.

Description

20~1479 This invention relates to a separator, and in particular to a separator for the effluents of gas and oil wells.
Formation fines (sand) from unconsolidated sandstone reservoirs and artificially introduced sand proppants from hydraulic fracturing are the primary sources of erosion of gas and oil well surface production equipment. Wells which produce sand, for either of the above-mentioned reasons, are not only dangerous, but usually very costly to produce. For example, a well having a surface flowing pressure of 7 MPa, perforated at a depth of 1,000 meters and producing S liters of sand and 30,000 cubic meters of natural gas per day through 60 mm tubing effectively becomes a one kilometer long high pressure sand blaster.
Such a quantity of minimum sand production can easily cut through surface piping and facilities in relatively short order. Of course, the high pressure rupturing of piping by erosive materials constitutes a real danger to oil field workers. The danger is even greater when the well contains hydrogen sulphide. Often, the problem of erosion is so acute that wells are shut down indefinitely.
As more and more oil and gas reserves are exploited, the hydraulic fracturing of wells will undoubtedly become more common. After a well has been fractured, it is normally flowed to clean up and is subsequently tested for 2041~

~ production. Solid returns are at a maximum during the clean up flow, the purpose of which is to recover any of the proppants which have not "healed" into the formation.
Other than actual solids, partial solids such as asphaltenes constitute a source of production difficulty.
Production of this type of solid creates a problem, because the substances tend to become gasified and migrate to the top of the separator and into the scrubbed gas stream.
Consequently, the glycol used in dehydrators at the well head can become contaminated, the controls in oil well production facilities can become blocked or production chokes become clogged.
Examples of separators for use with oil and gas wells are disclosed by Canadian Patents Nos. 806,472, issued to R.E. McMinn on February 18, 1969 923,826, issued to E.H.
Piner Jr. on April 3, 1973; 933,471, issued to F.L. Murdock Sr., on September 11, 1973; 1,024,903, issued to F.L.
Murdock Sr., on January 24, 1978 and 1,188,613, issued to J. Pielkenrood on June 11, 1985, and U.S. Patents Nos.
2,601,903, issued to R.W. Erwin on July 1, 1952 and 4,673,500, issued to R.A. Hoofnagle et al on June 16, 1987.
Without discussing the specifics of this patent literature, at present, the only available surface erosion control devices are the so-called "surge-tank" or "knock-out" vessels. Such devices usually rely on gravity 20~14~9 - and large capacity tanks for separating solids from produced well fluids. The principle difficulty with such devices is the low operating pressures of the vessels, and poor or inadequate internal designs. The separators in question are effective for low pressure wells, because the vessels used have typical operating pressures below 700 kPa. Moreover, low pressure tanks cannot readily be incorporated into permanent production facilities.
The object of the present invention is to provide a solution of the above identified erosion problems in the form of a relatively simple separator for effectively separating solids from well fluid effluents, even under high pressures.
Accordingly, the present invention relates to a separator for separating solids and liquids from oil or gas well effluents comprising elongated, horizontal tank means;
first inlet means in one end of said tank means for introducing well effluent into said tank means; level control means in said tank means for maintaining the liquid in said tank at a predetermined level below the longitudinal center of the tank means; slotted baffle means extending downwardly from the top of said tank means near said one end, said baffle means extending downwardly beyond the predetermined level for defining an inlet chamber permitting rapid expansion of the effluent and promoting 20~L~4~9 solids separation; a plurality of perforated plates means in said tank means downstream of the baffle means defining a gravity separation chamber with said baffle means for promoting additional solids separation; solids outlet means in tank means at the bottom of said gravity separation chamber, said perforate plate means defining at least one aggregate chamber for receiving particulate material adapted to promote additional solids separation, the last said perforate plate means and the other end of said tank means defining an outlet chamber downstream of said last plate means; gas outlet means in the top of said tank means for discharging gas from said outlet chamber; partition means in said outlet chamber defining a liquid by hydrocarbon discharge basin for receiving liquid hydrocarbons overflowing said partition means; hydrocarbon outlet means in said tank means for discharging liquid hydrocarbons from said basin, and water outlet means in said other end of said tank means beneath said predetermined liquid level for discharging water from said outlet chamber.
The invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, and wherein:
Figure 1 is a schematic, partly sectioned, side elevational view of a separator in accordance with the present invention;

2 ~
Figure 2 and 3 are partly sectioned, end views of the separator of Fig. 1, as seen from the left and right, respectively of Fig. 1 Figure 4 is a front view of a solids baffle used in the separator of Figs. 1 to 3;
Figure 5 is a cross section taken generally along line V-V of Fig. 4; and Figure 6 is a front view of an aggregate retainer plate used in the separator of Figs. 1 to 3.
With reference to the drawing, the separator of the present invention includes an elongated, horizontal tank generally indicated at 1 defined by a cylinder 2 with closed convex ends 3 and 4. The tank 1 is supported by a pair of legs 5. Well effluent is introduced into the tank 1 through an inlet pipe 7 in the end 3. A baffle 8 suspended from the top of the cylinder 2 defines the trailing or downstream end of an inlet chamber 9. A
pressure relief vent 11 containing a pressure relief valve (not shown) is provided at the top of the inlet chamber 9, and a solids cleanout pipe 12 is provided in the bottom of the cylinder 2.
As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the baffle 8 is defined by a pair of parallel rows of vertical bars in the form of small diameter tubes 14 extending between brackets defined ~y parallel, arcuate to plates 15 and a straight, 2~Al~

horizontal bottom plate 16. The tubes 14 in one row are staggered with respect to the tubes 14 in the other row.
The inlet chamber 9 is followed in the direction of material flow by a gravity chamber 17, the bottom of which contains a principal solids outlet 8 and a second solids cleanout pipe 19. A port 21 for a temperature probe (not shown) is provided in the side of the gravity chamber 17, and a cleanout port 22 and differential pressure gauge port 23 are provided in the top thereof. The trailing or downstream end of the gravity chamber 17 is defined by a perforate disc or plate 24, which is followed by two additional plates 25 and 26. The plates 24, 25 and 26 are parallel and spaced apart, defining chambers 28 and 29 for receiving particulate material or aggregate (not shown) which is loaded into the chambers via a top inlet pipe 30.
A rectangular projection 31 (Figs. 1 and 6) on the top center of the disc 25 divides the inlet pipe 30 into two passages. Solids can be removed from the chambers 28 and 29 through outlets 33 and 34 in the bottom of the cylinder 2.
Each of the plates 24, 25 and 26 includes an annular mounting rim 36 (Fig. 6), and a plurality of concentric circular rows of openings 37. The first plate 24 contains openings 37 which are relatively large in diameter (9.55 mm).

The second and third plates 25 and 26 contain smaller openings (6.4 mm diameter). The number of openings 37 in the upper ends of the plates 24, 25 and 26 is greater than the number in the lower ends of the plates. The plates 24, 25 and 26 also promote the coalescing of oil droplets, and the separation of sand from the liquids flowing therethrough. The particle size of the aggregate in the first aggregate chamber 28 is larger than the particle size of the aggregate in the chamber 29. Preferably the aggregate or particulate material in the chambers 28 and 29 is granite stucco stones.
The plate 26 defines the upstream end of a final gravity separation and outlet chamber 39, which contains a differential pressure gauge port 40 in the top thereof.
Liquid level control outlets 42 are provided in one side of the cylinder for maintaining the operational level of the liquid indicated by line 43 (Figs. 1 to 3) below the center of the tank, but above the bottom of the baffle 8. Four gauge column ports 45 are also provided in one side of the tank, for the attachment of site glasses. Gas is discharged from the chamber 39 via a mist pad 46 suspended from the top of the tank a holder 47, and an outlet pipe 49. Water is discharged from the end 4 of the tank via an L-shaped outlet pipe 50, one arm 52 of which extends downwardly in the tank close to the bottom thereof. A

2Q~4~9 - alternative water dump controller and cleanout pipe 53 is provided in the end 4 above the pipe 50. Hydrocarbon liquid is discharged from the chamber 39 through a bottom outlet 55. A third solids cleanout pipe 56 is provided in the bottom of the cylinder 2 downstream of the hydrocarbon outlet 55.
A pair of transversely extending partitions 58 and 59 (Figs. 2 and 3, respectively) and a longitudinally extending partition 60 define three walls of a hydrocarbon basin 62. A notch 63 (Fig. 3) is provided in the partition 59, so that the latter acts as a weir, permitting the overflow of hydrocarbon liquids from the outlet chamber into the basin 62. As mentioned above, the hydrocarbon liquids are discharged via the bottom outlet 55.
Because the tank 1 is designed to operate under high pressures (of 10 MPa and higher), reinforcing pads are provided around the principal inlets and outlets.
In operation, well effluent enters the inlet chamber 9 via the inlet pipe 7. The sudden expansion of the well effluent reduces flow velocity and initiates the sand drop-out process. Moreover, by reducing the flow velocity, the erosive effect of the sand is reduced, and both sand and liquid descend in the tank 1. The effluent encounters the baffle 8 which absorbs some of the erosive shock of well debris, and changes the flow direction which promotes 2~41~79 phase separation. The baffle 8 also causes separation of a large volume of sand. During passage through the baffle 8, oil droplets are coalesced. Following passage of the well effluent through the baffle 8, additional gravity separation of sand occurs in the chamber 17.
The effluent, containing a reduced sand concentration passes through the particulate material in the aggregate chambers 28 and 29. Impingement of the effluent upon the particulate material in the cham~ers facilitates solid separation. Moreover, because of the large surface area of the materials in the chambers 28 and 29, coalescence occurs, promoting separation, hydrocarbon liquids and water phases. Additional aggregate chambers can be provided, the number of chambers being dictated by flow volume, solids content and the required fluid separation capabilities. It is worth noting that trapped grains of sand in the chambers 28 and 29 enhance rather than impede sand separation. The particular material can be removed from the chambers 28 and 29 through the outlets 34 and 35 for cleaning or replacement.
Material entering the outlet chamber 39 is further separated when hydrocarbon liquids flow into the basin defined by the partitions 58, 59 and 60. Gases are discharged through the outlet pipe 49, hydrocarbon liquids are discharged through the outlet pipe 5 and water is 2 ~
discharged through outlet pipe 50 to complete the separation process.
Operation under relatively high working pressures reduces the need for choking of the effluent upstream of the tank 1, thereby reducing hydrate difficulties created by the cooling effects from the pressure drop due to choking. Hydrate difficulties are further reduced by operating the tank at pressures close to well head production pressures.

la

Claims (7)

1. A separator for separating solids and liquids from oil or gas well effluent comprising elongated, horizontal tank means; first inlet means in one end of said tank means for introducing well effluent into said tank means; level control means in said tank means for maintaining the liquid in said tank at a predetermined level below the longitudinal center of the tank means; slotted baffle means extending downwardly from the top of said tank means near said one end, said baffle means extending downwardly beyond the predetermined level for defining an inlet chamber permitting rapid expansion of the effluent and promoting solids separation; a plurality of perforate plate means in said tank means downstream of the baffle means defining a gravity separation chamber with said baffle means for promoting additional solids separation; solids outlet means in said tank means at the bottom of said gravity separation chamber, said perforate plate means defining at least one aggregate chamber for receiving particulate material adapted to promote additional solids separation, the last said perforate plate means and the other end of said tank means defining an outlet chamber downstream of said last plate means; gas outlet means in the top of said tank means for discharging gas from said outlet chamber; partition means in said outlet chamber defining a liquid hydrocarbon discharge basin for receiving liquid hydrocarbons overflowing said partition means; hydrocarbon outlet means in said tank means for discharging liquid hydrocarbons from said basin; and water outlet means in said other end of said tank means beneath said predetermined liquid level for discharging water from said outlet chamber.
2. A separator according to claim 1, wherein said baffle means includes a plurality of rows of vertically extending bar means, the bar means in one row being staggered with respect to the bar means in any adjacent row, whereby separation of solids, liquids and gases is promoted.
3. A separator according to claim 2, wherein said baffle means includes upper bracket means for suspending said bar means from the top of said tank means; lower bracket means retaining the bottom ends of said bar means; and two parallel rows of said bar means, the bar means in on row being staggered with respect to the bar means in the other said row.
4. A separator according to claim 2, wherein each said perforate plate means includes a plurality of concentric circular rows of holes.
5. A separator according to claim 4, wherein the number of holes in each said perforate plate means is greater above than below said predetermined level.
6. A separator according to claim 41 including three said spaced apart, perforate plate means defining a pair of aggregate chambers, the openings in the first said plate means being larger than the openings in the other said plate means.
7. A separator according to claim 6, wherein said partition means includes first and second parallel, spaced apart partitions extending transversely outwardly from one side of said tank means; a third, longitudinally extending partition interconnecting the other ends of said first and second partitions, each said partition extending upwardly beyond said predetermined level; and a notch in one said partition permitting the overflow of hydrocarbon liquid into said basin 2.
CA 2041479 1991-04-30 1991-04-30 Apparatus for separating solids from well fluids Expired - Lifetime CA2041479C (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2041479 CA2041479C (en) 1991-04-30 1991-04-30 Apparatus for separating solids from well fluids

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2041479 CA2041479C (en) 1991-04-30 1991-04-30 Apparatus for separating solids from well fluids

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CA2041479A1 CA2041479A1 (en) 1992-10-31
CA2041479C true CA2041479C (en) 1998-04-21

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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2015191049A1 (en) * 2014-06-09 2015-12-17 MBJ Water Partners Separation of drilling fluid
US9896918B2 (en) 2012-07-27 2018-02-20 Mbl Water Partners, Llc Use of ionized water in hydraulic fracturing
CN108007069A (en) * 2017-10-17 2018-05-08 海盐派特普科技有限公司 A kind of gas reducing liquid recovery system
US10577911B2 (en) 2014-04-11 2020-03-03 Enercorp Sand Solutions Inc. Apparatus, system and method for separating sand and other solids from oil and other fluids

Families Citing this family (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5900137A (en) * 1996-06-27 1999-05-04 Homan; Edwin Daryl Apparatus and method for separating components in well fluids
US5837152A (en) * 1997-04-09 1998-11-17 Corlac Inc. Inclined separation tank
CA2339590C (en) 2001-03-07 2002-03-12 Cory Hetherington Heated inclined separation pressure vessel
NO318170B1 (en) * 2002-12-23 2005-02-14 Vetco Aibel As Method and apparatus for detecting solid matter collection
US8945395B2 (en) 2011-11-29 2015-02-03 Bonavista Energy Corporation Settling vessel and method of use
US9938812B2 (en) 2012-02-13 2018-04-10 Specialized Desanders Inc. Desanding apparatus and a method of using same
US9909405B2 (en) 2012-02-13 2018-03-06 Specialized Desanders Inc. Desanding apparatus and a method of using same
US9327214B2 (en) 2012-02-13 2016-05-03 Specialized Desanders Inc. Desanding apparatus and a method of using same
US8945256B2 (en) * 2012-02-13 2015-02-03 Specialized Desanders Inc. Desanding apparatus and system
CA2836437A1 (en) 2013-12-16 2015-06-16 Specialized Desanders Inc. An desanding apparatus and a method of using the same
US11293240B2 (en) * 2018-09-04 2022-04-05 Enercorp Engineered Solutions Inc. Integrated multi-stage sand separation system

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9896918B2 (en) 2012-07-27 2018-02-20 Mbl Water Partners, Llc Use of ionized water in hydraulic fracturing
US10577911B2 (en) 2014-04-11 2020-03-03 Enercorp Sand Solutions Inc. Apparatus, system and method for separating sand and other solids from oil and other fluids
WO2015191049A1 (en) * 2014-06-09 2015-12-17 MBJ Water Partners Separation of drilling fluid
CN108007069A (en) * 2017-10-17 2018-05-08 海盐派特普科技有限公司 A kind of gas reducing liquid recovery system

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